Control mechanism for circular knitting machines with rotating needle carrier

ABSTRACT

A pattern control mechanism for a circular knitting machine with a rotating needle carrier, in which the needles are controlled at a pattern position by means of a plurality of electromagnetic pattern devices, each needle being provided with an associated needle jack having control feet which follow each other in sequence in a stepwise manner, the needle jacks being slidable in the needle carrier and being selectively swingable, at the pattern selection point all of the needle jacks with their control feet are carried past a ramp-like cam which swings the needle jacks into a first position, in which they are in a position to cooperate with their jack-advancing cam. A plurality of selectively energizable electromagnetic stopping means are provided for holding the jacks into a second position wherein they do not cooperate with such cam. Every stopping magnet is provided with a movable returning mechanism; the stopping magnets work upon selected jacks at the pattern selecting station, the returning force which opposes the magnets being less than the strength of the magnets.

Hamma [111 3,811,297 [451 May 21, 1974 CONTROL MECHANISM FOR CIRCULARKNITTING MACHINES WITH ROTATING NEEDLE CARRIER [75] Inventor: GerhardHamma,

' Spaichingen-Wurttemberg Hofwies,

Germany [73] .Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Spaichingen GmbH', Spaichingen,Wurttembe rg,

Germany [22] Filed: Oct. 1, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 77,226

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Oct. 9, 1969 Germany 1950846 52u.s .-c| 66/50 R [51] Int. Cl D04b 15/78 [58] Field of Search ..'66/50R, 50 B, 25, 75, 66/1 54 'A, 36 A, 36 B [56] References Cited A UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 3.423.960 1/1969 Wiesinger et a1. 66/25 3,229,482 1/1966Farmer 66/50 R 3,534,566 10/1970 Farmer et a1. 66/50 R 3,365,916 1/1968Ribler et a1. 66/50 R 3,460,160 8/1960 Sangiacomo 66/50 B FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 483.51 1 '2/1970 Switzerland 66/50. R

362,787 8/1962 Switzerland 66/50 R Primary Examiner-Wm. Carter ReynoldsAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Arthur O. Klein [57] ABSTRACT A pattern controlmechanism for a circular knitting machine with a rotating needlecarrier, in which the needles are controlled at a pattern position bymeans of a plurality of electromagnetic pattern devices, each needlebeing provided with an associated needle jack having control feet whichfollow each other in sequence in a stepwise manner, the needle jacksbeing slidable in the needle carrier and being selectively swingable, atthe pattern selection point all of the needle jacks with their controlfeet are carried past a ramp-like cam which swings the needle jacks intoa first position, in which they are in a position to cooperate withtheir jack-advancing cam. A plurality of selectively energizableelectromagnetic stopping means are provided for holding the jacks into asecond position wherein they do not cooperate with such cam. Everystopping magnet is provided with a movable returning mechanism; thestopping magnets work upon selected jacks at the pattern selectingstation, the returning force which opposes the magnets being less thanthe strength of the magnets.

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flit drug [Rani wzmaumzuw 3.811.297 sumaora INVENTOR. jar-Bari HAHN 3mimwm 2i 1m 3 a 1 1. 297 SHEET 0f 4 INVENTUR: ja mud. HF) MMF) 1 CONTROLMECHANISM FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES WITH ROTATING NEEDLE CARRIERThis invention relates to a control mechanism for a circular knittingmachine with a rotating needle carrier, in which the needle selectingmechanism at every needle selecting position or station isprovided witha plurality of pattern control electromagnetic selecting mechanisms. Themachine is provided with needle jacks which are mounted in the needlechannels and are selectively held in swung or tipped position. Theneedle jacks are provided with control feet, the control feet of theneedle jacks following one another in a stepby-step manner. I

There are already available pattern control mechanisms in the prior art(for example, German Pat. applications 5 85 229 and I6 35 848), whichare provided with electromagnets which control sliders and through thesliders present the control feet of the needle jacks in the desiredposition during the operation of the machine. In accordance with suchmechanism, the electromagnets and their energizing current must be ofsuch strength as to pull the armature of the magnets into theiroperative positions.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided anelectrically controlled pattern control mechanism for circular knittingmachines which are of conventional construction, so that such controlmechanisms. without alteration of the rotating part of the circularknitting machine, may be mounted on the machine in the place of thepreviously known mechanical pattern control mechanism. such as aJacquard pattern control mechanism provided with pins. The controlmechanism of the invention may be supplied with electrical current froma hitherto known electrical control mechanism. A salient feature of thepresent invention is the fact that all needle jacks with theircontrolling feet are controlled by being swung by a pattern controllingcam past which the needle jacks run, selected ones of such jacks beingheld in swung position by selectively energizable stopping magnet means,and that every stopping magnet is provided with a similar needle jackreturning mechanism that works at the selection point upon the jackswhich have been selected by the stopping magnets, the returning force ofsuch returning means being less than that of the energized stoppingmagnets.

In a mechanism according to the invention, the electromagnets need haveonly one function, which is the stopping or holding of the selectedneedle jacks. It isto be understood that. in accordance with theinvention,

the control mechanism may be employed in those knit- '-ting machines inthe same art with needle jacks which have previously been controlledby amechanical control'mechanism employing pins and the like. The inventionrequires no special cam for the return of the needle jacks into theirat-rest or outwardly thrust positions;

every stopping magnet is provided with a similar returning means bymeans of which the needle jacks associated with those stopping magnetswhich have not been energized are thrust into their a-t-rest positions.Such returning mechanisms, like the holding magnets, are attached to afixed frame part of the machine.

Control mechanisms in accordance with the inventionmay be made in avariety of manners. Thus, the needle jacksin accordance with theinvention may be constructed in a conventional manner, that is, providedwith two control feet, one of which cooperates over the whole length ofthe pattern position station during the travel of the needle carrier;during this time the other control foot is positioned at the selectingpoint for cooperation with the returning mechanisms. The returningmechanism is preferably made in the form of a spring biased slider whichis provided on its inner end confronting the needle jacks with aramp-like control surface for cooperation with the control feet of theneedle jacks'which run therepast, the entering end of the controllingsurface being positioned opposite the entering end of the controlling orstop surface of the magnets during the rotation of the needle cylinder.It is guaranteed or assured that the needle jacks always first engagethe stopping magnet with their first control feet, before the other orsecond control feet engage the sliders for returning them rearwardly.When a stopping magnet is energized, the swingable control foot of theassociated needle jack will be held swung outwardly in a known manner inits needle channel of the needle cyldancewith theinvention are providedwith solenoid I plungers which also serve as needle jack returningmeans. The solenoid plunger of the stopping magnet is preferably opposedby a spring which constantly thrusts the magnet plungers. The end of themagnet plunger opposite from the solenoid or armature end is providedwith a cam-shaped surface which cooperate with the fixed control cam orpiece, there being provided a ramp-like controlling surface againstwhich the controlling feet of the needle jacks are swung. The returningsprings for the solenoid plungers have such effective force that theyare overcome by the solenoid plungers of the magnets when the magnetsare energized. 7

Further characteristics and salient features of the invention willbecome apparent in the following description taken in connection withthe drawings, the drawings showing more or less schematically twopreferred embodiments of the mechanism in accordance with the invention.In the drawings:

FIG. I is a vertical radial section through the cam sleeve or mantle andthe needle cylinder of a circular knitting machine incorporating afirst-disclosed emboidment of the pattern control mechanism of theintaken along the line IIb-IIb in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary development of the cam sleeve or mantle in thesection thereof shown in FIGS.

20 and 2b, such section being indicated by curved line III-III of FIGS.2a and 2b, FIG. 3 showing the relative positioning of the patterncontrol feet of the needle jacks;

the section being FIG. 4 is a figure similar to FIG. I but showing asecond embodiment of pattern control apparatus incorporated in acircular knitting machine;

FIG. is a view similar to FIGS. 2a and 2b, the view being a horizontalsection along the line V-V in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3, the figure being a development ofthe cam Sleeve or mantle in the zone shown by-th'e curved line vi v1 inFIG. 5, FIG. 6 showing the relative positions of the pattern feet of theneedle jacks; and

FIG. 7 is a view in vertical section through the magnet portion of thepattern control mechanism of the second embodiment, the section beingtaken along the broken section line VII-VII of FIG. 4.

. In the figures, similar parts throughout the figures are indicated bythe same reference characters.

FIG. 1 shows a needle cylinder 1, in the needle channels 2 of whichthere are disposed needle jacks 3 and needles 4. The needle cylinder 1rotates in a knownmanner within a stationary cam sleeve o'r mantle 5disposed coaxially thereof, the-mantle or cam-carrying shell 5 having a]plurality of cam pieces mounted thereon, there being four such campieces 6 shown in FIG. I. The second and third pieces 6 from the toppresent a channel 7 therebetween, such channel receiving the needle feetor cam followers 4a on the needles.

supported by an exterior carrying ring 10 forming part of the circularknitting machine structure and being mounted thereon for adjustment inall directions.

The pattern arrangement 8 includes in its lower portion a plurality ofjuxtaposed arresting or holding magnets l2 which coact with the patternfeet 3d of the needle jacks 3 and in the upper portion of the patternarrangement there are arranged a plurality of juxtaposed return plungersor sliders 13, which coact with the upper pattern feet 30 of the needlejacks 3. The con struction of the return sliders l3 and the arrestingmagnets 12 is illustrated inv FIGS.'2a and-2b. Each one of the arrestingmagnets, which are at all times arranged to coact with a step of thepattern feet 3d of the needle pushers 3, is provided with a magneticcore 12a, the

central portion of which is surrounded by an energizing coil 12b. Themagnetic core 12a has at the radially The lowermost cam piece or pieces6 provide on their lower edge a guiding surface for the cam followers 3aof the needle jacks 3. The needle jacks 3 are mounted by their heads 3!)in the needle channels 2 of the needle cylinder l in a known manner sothat the needle jacks are either, disposed vertically, as shown in FIG.I, or are tipped counter-clockwise from such position so that the baseof a needle jack engages the vertical root of the needle channel 2 ofthecylinder 1. The needle jacks are constantly urged toward theabove-described tipped position by interaction of verticallyalignedspaced spring pressed plungers; to be described. with respective feet31' on the jacks 3. The-jacks are thrust into their vertical positionagainst the opposition of the spring pressed plungers by cams 14 as thejacks are carried past such cams. the thus-swung jacks being selectivelyretained in such swung position by vertically aligned spacedelectromagnets which. act upon the-respective feet 3d on the jacks 3. Atleast such feet 3d,

'and'preferablythe entire jacks-3, are made of ferromagnetic metal. Whenthe jacks 3 lie in their vertical position. a control foot-3e thereonadjacent its lower end rides upon the upper surface of a stationary campiece 11 mounted on a fixed part of the machine coaxial of mantle 5;when'the jacks are swung counterclockwise from the position of jack 3-in FIG. I after they have been raised. the foot on each jack is movedradially inwardly sufficiently so that when the jack 3 is retracted,thefoot 3e thereon lies radially inwardly of the cam piece II and is notthen controlled by such cam. As shown in FIG. 3. the jacks 3 are allsimilar except for the placement of the feet 34' and 3d thereon. Also,as shown in that figure, the jacks are disposed in sets of 6, the feet3c and 3d of successive jacks in each being arranged en echelon. therows of feet 36 and 3d being parallel. FIG. 3 also shows how the jackstravel through successive systems of the circular knittingmachine.

The machine-of FIGS..I 2, and 3 is provided with apatterncontrolmechanism 8, mechanism 8 being supported upon adjustablering device 9 which in turn is inner end thereof an arresting surface120, which extends across the whole width of the selection position, andis disposed coaxially of the needle cylinder and cam sleeve.

By means of a cam 14 arranged at each one of the se lect'ion positions,which acts on the lower ends of the needle jacks 3, there are pivoted.radially outwardly, first of all, all needle pushers 3 at each selectionposition, so that their pattern feet 3d are guided towards thearrestingsurface 12c of the arresting magnets 12. With this pivotingmovement, the upper'pattern feet 3: of the needle pushers 3 arealso'guided against oblique guiding surfaces 13a of sliders 13. Thee'nerg-ization of a chosen arresting magnet 12 causes the correspondingretur'n slider 13, in'opposition to the return slider spring 15, to beretained in its radially outward position. The

' of the machine.

' A second embodiment of pattern control mechanism in accordance withthe invention is shown in FIGS. 4-7, inclusive. In such embodiment, ateach pattern control point there is provided a pattern control 20 havinga plurality of holding magnets 21, such magnets beingof a differentconstruction fromthose shown at 12 in FIGS. 1-3, inclusive. Magnets 21have solenoid plungers or sliders 22 which cooperate with respectiveones of control feet 3f on the needle jack 3. In this case, as shown inFIG. 6, the control feet 3f of adjacent needle jacks 3 are disposedadjacent each other en echelon, each control foot 3]" being associatedwith a corresponding stopping magnet 21 and a slider 22.

Asis best shown in FIG. 5, the sliders 22 are arranged in one row, oneabove the other, and are constantly yieldably urged in a radially inwarddirection by a coil compression spring 23 the outer end of which actsupon a spring seat in a guiding casing for the sliders 22, and the innerend of which acts upon a lateral wing 220 on each of the sliders.Confronting the sliders at their radially inner ends is a pattern pieceor cam 14 in the form of a ramp which is inclined radially outwardlyforwardly and then joins with an arcuate portion coaxial of the needlecylinder, the rap confronting an oppositely inclined radially inwardlycontracting surface 22b on the inner end of the sliders 22. The controlfeet 3f of the respective needle jacks 3 engage the surface 22b as shownin FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 7, for reasons of economy of space, themagnets 21 are disposedin three vertical rows with the magnets in suchthree rows being disposed en echelon. Sliders 22 which. cooperate withtrolled by cam 11.

the magnet in the intermediate vertical row have armatures which arealigned therewith. Sliders 22 which cooperate with the two outer rows ofmagnets, however, are provided with oppositely laterally extending wings22d having armature surfaces 22(- which are aligned with the pole piecesof their respective magnets 21. Each of the magnets has a U-shaped core210 on the two legs of which there are located coil windings 21b. When amagnet 21 is energized, it holds its associated slider 22 radiallyoutwardly against the opposition of spring 23 so that the control feet3f of the needle jacks 3 no longer engage ramp surface 221) on thesliders as the needle jacks rotate with the needle cylinder 1 in thedirection 17 past the pattern control mechanism 20.

As the needle jacks 3 rotate past the cam or ramp piece 14, they areprogressively thrust radially utwardly as shown in FIG. 5. As a resultof this, their control feet 3fengage and run up the ramp 22b of thesliders 22 and press such sliders radially outwardly against the forceof the coil compression spring 23. This brings the armature surfaces 220of the sliders 22 close to the' pole shoes ofthe magnet cores 21a sothat, ifa particular magnet is energized, its associated slider 22 thenremains held in a radially outer position. Since the needle jacks 3according to FIG. 5 are swung by the cams or ramps 14 in the enteringpart of the pattern control mechanism 20, in every case the sliders 22will be pushed into proximity to the pole pieces of the stop magnets 21.When the magnet is energized, it stops and holds the slider 22, sincethestrength of the coil compression spring 23 is less than that of themagnets 21. In this case the needle jacks 3 remain in their outswungpositions so that their lower control feet 3e are under the control ofthe cam surface 110 of the cam 11. The cam 11 thrusts the needle jack 3and its associated needle 4 upwardly or outwardly in the needle channelof the needle cylinder 1. If the magnet 21 is not energized, the slider22 is returned into its radially inner position by the coil compressionspring 23 as soon as the needle jack 3 leaves the cam surface of the cam14. Thus, the needle jack 3 is returned into its inoperative position,

in which its lower control foot 3e lies radially inwardly of and doesnot rest upon the upper cam surface lla of the cam l 1, so that theneedle jack 3 is not now con- It will be understood that, in accordancewith the in} vention. the windings or coils of the stopping magnetsofthe pattern control mechanism may be supplied with current fromconventional electric pattern control mechanism which supplies suchmagnets with energizing current at the right time and'in the'correctsequence to provide a desired pattern in the knitted product.

Although the invention is illustrated and described with reference to aplurality of preferred embodiments thereof, it is .to be expresslyunderstood that it is in no way limited to-the disclosure of such aplurality of preferred embodiments, but is capable of numerousmodifications within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

I. In a circular knitting machine with a rotating needle carrier, inwhich the needle selection is controlled at a pattern-selecting positionby selectively operated needle-selecting means, 'each needle beingprovided with an associated needle jack which is slidable in the needlecarrier and is selectively swingable into and out of operativeengagement with a stationary jack advancrality of selectivelyenergizable electromagnetic solenoid means having stopping surfaces andcores disposed generally radially of the needle carrier, saidcoreshaving poles on'their inner ends for selectively cooperating with therespective control feet on the needle jacks to retain selected ones ofsaid jacks in said first position, and yieldable means for urging all ofthe jacks toward a second position out of the path of the jack advancingcam, said yieldable means being over-v powered by the said energizedelectromagnetic solenoid means, every needle jack of the machine beingprovided with two control feet, one of the control feet of the needlejack running over the surface of the pole of the respective solenoidmeans and coacting therewith immediately throughout the whole length ofthe pattern selecting position, the other control foot of the needlejack being controlled by the said yieldable means, said yieldable m'eansbeing disposed at least adjoining the pattern selecting position, theyieldable means comprising a spring biased return slider with aramp-like control surface forcooperation with the second control feet ofthe needle jacks, the beginning ofv the ramp-like controlsurface on theslider being positioned in substantial vertical alignment with the beginning of the stopping surface of the electromagnetic solenoid meansduring the rotationof the needle carrier of the machine.

2. In a circular knitting machine with a rotating needle carrier, inwhich the needle selection is controlled at a pattern-selecting positionby selectively operated needle-selecting means, each needle beingprovided with an associated needle jack which is slidable in the needlecarrier and is selectively swingable into and out ofoperative engagementwith a stationary jack advancing cam past which the jacks travel on theneedle carrier, each needle jack having one control foot, the controlfeet of the needle jacks following each other in sequence in a stepwisemanner, a ramp-like cam at the.

pattern selecting position for successively swinging the needle jacks sothat they lie in a'first position in the path of the jack advancing cam,the improved needle selecting means which comprisesa plurality ofselectively energizable electromagnetic solenoid means at the patternselecting position, said solenoid means having cores reciprocallyradially movable of the needle carrier, said cores having contactingsurfaces on their inner ends for selectively cooperating with therespective control feet on the needle jacks and having also armaturesurfaces at their outer ends, and yieldable means for urging all of thecores radially inwardly, said yieldable means being selectivelyoverpowered by said i ally outwardly by said needle jacks engaging saidcontacting surfaces as said needle jacks are successively swungoutwardly by said ramp-like cam, and nonselected cores being thereaftermovedfinwardly by.

those yieldable means which have not been selectively overpowered toswing corresponding jacks inwardly from said first position.

1. In a circular knitting machine with a rotating needle carrier, inwhich the needle selection is controlled at a pattern-selecting positionby selectively operated needleselecting means, each needle beingprovided with an associated needle jack which is slidable in the needlecarrier and is selectively swingable into and out of operativeengagement with a stationary jack advancing cam past which the jackstravel on the needle carrier, each needle jack having at least onecontrol foot, the control feet of the needle jacks following each otherin sequence in a stepwise manner, a ramp-like cam at the patternselecting position for successively swinging the needle jacks so thatthey lie in a first position in the path of the jack advancing cam, theimproved needle selecting means which comprises a plurality ofselectively energizable electromagnetic solenoid means Having stoppingsurfaces and cores disposed generally radially of the needle carrier,said cores having poles on their inner ends for selectively cooperatingwith the respective control feet on the needle jacks to retain selectedones of said jacks in said first position, and yieldable means forurging all of the jacks toward a second position out of the path of thejack advancing cam, said yieldable means being overpowered by the saidenergized electromagnetic solenoid means, every needle jack of themachine being provided with two control feet, one of the control feet ofthe needle jack running over the surface of the pole of the respectivesolenoid means and coacting therewith immediately throughout the wholelength of the pattern selecting position, the other control foot of theneedle jack being controlled by the said yieldable means, said yieldablemeans being disposed at least adjoining the pattern selecting position,the yieldable means comprising a spring biased return slider with aramp-like control surface for cooperation with the second control feetof the needle jacks, the beginning of the ramp-like control surface onthe slider being positioned in substantial vertical alignment with thebeginning of the stopping surface of the electromagnetic solenoid meansduring the rotation of the needle carrier of the machine.
 2. In acircular knitting machine with a rotating needle carrier, in which theneedle selection is controlled at a pattern-selecting position byselectively operated needle-selecting means, each needle being providedwith an associated needle jack which is slidable in the needle carrierand is selectively swingable into and out of operative engagement with astationary jack advancing cam past which the jacks travel on the needlecarrier, each needle jack having one control foot, the control feet ofthe needle jacks following each other in sequence in a stepwise manner,a ramp-like cam at the pattern selecting position for successivelyswinging the needle jacks so that they lie in a first position in thepath of the jack advancing cam, the improved needle selecting meanswhich comprises a plurality of selectively energizable electromagneticsolenoid means at the pattern selecting position, said solenoid meanshaving cores reciprocally radially movable of the needle carrier, saidcores having contacting surfaces on their inner ends for selectivelycooperating with the respective control feet on the needle jacks andhaving also armature surfaces at their outer ends, and yieldable meansfor urging all of the cores radially inwardly, said yieldable meansbeing selectively overpowered by said electromagnetic solenoid meanswhen energized, to attract an armature surface on the outer end ofselected cores, all of said cores being successively moved radiallyoutwardly by said needle jacks engaging said contacting surfaces as saidneedle jacks are successively swung outwardly by said ramp-like cam, andnon-selected cores being thereafter moved inwardly by those yieldablemeans which have not been selectively overpowered to swing correspondingjacks inwardly from said first position.